LANDLORD'S DAUGHTER RECALLS HOW SHE NARROWLY ESCAPED DEATH IN EDO BUILDING COLLAPSE

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Dorcas Olushola, one of the survivors from the recent building collapse on Ekhator Street, Ekosodin, Benin, Edo State, called her escape from the rubble “miraculous” and expressed gratitude for being alive.

Speaking to reporters at the Trauma Department of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital on Sunday, Olushola detailed the harrowing experience. She was on the second floor of the three-storey building when it began to vibrate and then collapsed without warning.

“I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have been rescued from the debris,” Olushola said. “It was raining heavily that morning, and I was unaware of the flooding in the compound since I was in my room on the second floor.”

Olushola recalled, “I started feeling the building shake, and before I could react, it collapsed on top of me. Thankfully, people came to my aid, and I am alive because of them. I have only suffered some bruises on my leg, and while the experience was traumatic, I am recovering well thanks to the UBTH staff.”

Her father, who was out of state at the time, has yet to return to Benin.

Another survivor, Akpodeh Oseoghene, a recent UNIBEN graduate from the Science Laboratory Department, also recounted her close call. She and her roommate, Akpordoghor Oghenefega, were trying to save their belongings from flooding in their bungalow behind the main building when the structure collapsed.

Oseoghene described how the flooding worsened the situation: “The room we were in became flooded during the heavy rain, and as we tried to elevate our belongings, the main building collapsed, causing more water to flood into our room. Our glass door shattered, injuring my roommate, who is now receiving treatment at another UBTH department.”

She added, “We managed to find a small opening to escape. Leonard, another survivor, sustained serious injuries when he jumped from the third floor as the building was collapsing and is also receiving treatment at UBTH.”

A recent UNIBEN graduate who lived in a neighboring building noted that the collapse occurred between 7:30 and 8 a.m. amid heavy rain, which likely contributed to the disaster. He reported, “The rain began around 4 a.m. and intensified by 7 a.m., causing severe flooding on our street. The flood affected many houses, especially those with lower foundations. Despite our efforts to secure our home, the floodwaters breached our gate and entered our rooms. While trying to salvage our belongings, we heard a loud crash and discovered that the building had collapsed, damaging our fence and a room.”

He expressed hope that authorities would address the flooding issues to prevent future tragedies.